How to Get a Free Copy of Your Credit Report

The information available on your credit report decides whether you will be able to get credit card, loan or a mortgage. The information available on your credit card can even play a big role in chances of being able to buy a home or earn a job. According to passage of Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act (FACTA) in December 2003, the consumers can get a free copy of their credit report from each of the three credit reporting agencies TransUnion, Equifax and Experian every year via request. There are many website that offers you free copy of your credit report but most of them are scams. You can use this privilege by getting a free copy of your credit report and use that report to monitor your credit history. Here is how you can get your free copy of credit report under FACTA:

1. Via Phone: Make a call to the number 877-322-8228


2. Online service: Get a free copy of your credit report online from website www.annualcreditreport.com


3. Via mail: You can get your credit report via mail by printing a request form (https://www.annualcreditreport.com/cra/requestformfinal.pdf) and mail that form to the address listed on the form

It is not advisable to request a free copy of credit report to all of the credit reporting agencies separately. With free credit report, you will not get your credit scores for free. Your credit scores are not part of this offer and you have to pay for this service.

Other situations when you have access to your credit report for free

There are some other situations when you can get a copy of your credit report for free. All of these instances are outlines in the FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) passage and these situations are:

1. You have been the victim of identity theft and there are errors in your credit report.


2. You don’t have a job and looking for a job in the next 60 days


3. You are on a welfare


4. You have been denied for credit insurance or job based on the information available in your credit report. You can request for a free copy of credit report within 60 days from the date you know of the denial. The company will send you a notice with information including Credit Bureaus contact information that provided the report used in making decision.